What qualifies Airmen for emergency leave? Published Dec. 3, 2009 By PERSCO 451st Mission Support Group KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Sometimes unfortunate circumstances can occur back home and Airmen may need to quickly return to assist those in need within their immediate family. These Airmen may need to take what is called emergency leave. Emergency leave is defined as chargeable leave approved by your commander, because of a verified death, a life-threatening condition due to an accident, illness, or major surgery, or to visit a terminally ill person in the immediate family. Immediate family consists of the member's or spouses: parents (including stepparents), children (including illegitimate children and stepchildren), brothers and sisters, sole surviving blood relative, and in-loco-parentis person. In-loco-parentis must meet both of the following conditions: A person who stood in place of the member's parent for a period of at least five years before the member became 21 years of age or entered military service. The person provided a home, food, clothing, medical care, and other necessities, and gave moral, disciplinary guidance, and affection. If you or anyone in your organization, needs to take emergency leave, here's what PERSCO will need: Red Cross message, CED orders, LES, leave address/contact number, a signed statement attesting to a person's in-loco-parentis status (if applicable) and early release information (if applicable). Whether the member will or will not return determines if Early Release memo is required, plus the number of days remaining on their tour.